Locals divided over opening up Kosciusko National Park to hunters

The NSW Government is pushing forward with its controversial decision to allow recreational shooters into national parks in October. It was to be rolled out over more than 70 national parks, but in a last minute softening this week, the Government announced a smaller in 12 parks. One of those is Kosciusko, in the state's alpine region. Locals are divided about the potential risks of allowing amateur shooters into the region.

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SIMON SANTOW: The New South Wales Government is pushing forward with its controversial decision to allow recreational shooters into national parks in October.

It was to be rolled out over more than 70 national parks, but in a last minute softening this week, the Government announced a smaller trial in 12 parks.

One of those is Kosciusko, in the state's alpine region.

There, locals are divided about the potential risks of allowing amateur shooters into the park.

Eliza Harvey prepared this report.

(Theme from 'The Man from Snowy River')

ELIZA HARVEY: The Man from Snowy River has given the Kosciusko National Park a special place in Australian history.

PETER COCHRANE: We ride through some of the most exquisite country in Australia, into the alps looking at the mountain huts and also the gorges and waterways and the pristine environment which we enjoy up there, and we think it's quite unique in the world where you can ride in fact for four or five days and not see a soul.

ELIZA HARVEY: Kosciusko National Park is one of the 12 sites where the New South Wales Government will roll out its controversial hunting in national parks program from October.

The policy is a result of a political deal between the O'Farrell Government and the Shooters Party to privatise the state's power generators.

Opening national parks for recreational hunting has been a long-term goal for the Shooters Party.

The Government says these hunters will help cull feral animals, a job currently done by professional shooters.

Tourism operator Peter Cochrane has taken a keen interest in the political debate, as a former Nationals member in the state's Upper House and federal independent candidate.

He doesn't think anyone will get hurt by a stray bullet in the national park.

PETER COCHRANE: I think there's been a lot of hysteria around the whole issue of shooting in national parks. I mean, it has been going on for decades in other countries around the world, and in safe conditions.

Look, your chances of being shot in western Sydney in a 'drive-by' shooting are far greater than they are of being shot in a national park by a well-trained shooter.

The areas where these feral animals, particularly deer, are found - and goats, and pigs and the likes of those - are in areas where we don't ride and there would be no threat whatsoever to any of our guests.

If there were, I'd be expressing concerns, but I don't have any fear for them whatsoever.

ELIZA HARVEY: But not all locals agree.

John Gallard is an Indigenous man who started his working life as a national park ranger in Kosciusko.

He acknowledges that feral pests are a big problem but wants the guns in the hands of the professionals.

JOHN GALLARD: I've had the sound of a bullet go past me when I was a young fella, and then heard the bang afterwards.

But you know, if you don't hear the bang, you're dead. I don't think that recreational hunters and national parks really mix - at all.

SIMON SANTOW: That was Kosciusko local John Gallard ending Eliza Harvey's report.